NASAL AIRFLOW MEASURING DEVICES AND METHODS

摘要

Devices and methods for measuring and quantifying airflow through the adult human nose by detecting and measuring the amount of moisture condensate in contact with a pair of flat surfaces or substrates positioned beneath the patient's nose for a predetermined length of time, usually about three (3) seconds. The device comprises a microprocessor, a memory, an output device and a moisture sensing unit. The moisture sensing unit, comprising twin left and right detectors, produces output signals representative of the amounts of moisture condensate in contact with the left and right detectors, respectively. The microprocessor determines the volume density, current density, or relative humidity density from a series of measurements of the condensation as it propagates and decays during exhalation. The microprocessor stores the results in the memory and transmits the data, as well as calculated nasal condition information, to the output device, preferably a digital display. The device and techniques for using the device are useful in diagnosing nasal obstructions, documenting patient symptoms, and assessing potential responses to therapy.

主权项

1. A method of quantifying airflow through a patient's nose using a microprocessor, a memory, an output device and a moisture sensing unit, the moisture sensing unit comprising a left nostril detector and a right nostril detector, each configured to produce output signals representative of the amounts of moisture currently in contact with said left detector and said right detector, respectively, the method comprising the steps of:
a) positioning the moisture sensing unit near the patient's nose while the patient exhales for a predetermined length of time so that a substantial portion of the air expelled from the left nostril of the patient's nose during the exhalation will strike the left detector and a substantial portion of the air expelled from the right nostril of the patient's nose during the exhalation will strike the right detector; b) during the predetermined length of time, repetitively recording the output signals produced by the left detector of the moisture sensing unit, thereby generating a plurality of discrete output signals for the left nostril, the plurality of discrete output signals representing the changes in output signals produced by the left detector in response to changes in the amount of moisture in contact with the left detector, and storing the plurality of discrete output signals for the left nostril in the memory; c) during the predetermined length of time, repetitively recording the output signals produced by the right detector of the moisture sensing unit, thereby generating a plurality of discrete output signals for the right nostril, the plurality of discrete output signals representing the changes in output signals produced by the right detector in response to changes in the amount of moisture in contact with the right detector, and storing the plurality of discrete output signals for the right nostril in the memory; d) with the microprocessor, calculating a left nostril flow density by summing the discrete output signals in the plurality of discrete output signals for the left nostril, and calculating a right nostril flow density by summing the discrete output signals in the plurality of discrete output signals for the right nostril; and e) presenting the left nostril flow density and the right nostril flow density on the output device.